“For I have learned in whatever state I am in, to be content.” Phil 4:11 (NKJV)
A number of years ago Emory and I read the account of an old man who had taken his son to catch the bus that would take him to military basic training. Just as the son reached the bus door, the old man placed his arm around his shoulders and gave him these last words of advise. “Son, no matter where you go, there you are.”
At the time we thought it was hilarious because it was so obvious, and we laughed about it for days. But after much thought we began to see the deeper meaning and realized it was an incredible bit of wisdom. Hidden deep in the old man’s words was a truth that he had learned, most likely, from dealing with whatever came his way. And he wanted to prepare his dear son because he knew what the boy was facing.
The secret of this thought is to form the habit of making the best of every circumstance. And sad to say it has taken me seventy years to learn the best way to do that. For years I have battled the ugliness of self pity. I hated myself for it, but just couldn’t seem to find deliverance. I prayed. I quoted scripture. I did everything I knew to do, but to no avail.
Then that old saying came back to me, “No matter where you go, there you are,” and with the help of the Holy Spirit I learned that, “Godliness with contentment truly is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) And you can learn this too.
Every morning when we wake up we are faced with a fork in the road and we have to make a decision. Will I take the road of self-pity which leads to depression and despair? Or will I take the road of prayer and praise which leads to contentment? Instead of the “Oh, poor me! Why has God put me in these dreadful circumstances?” I call on the Lord to strengthen me by reading and quoting His powerful promises, then I make a list of all the good in my life, and my depression vanishes. I remind myself that no matter where I go, there I am, in God’s plan, and I am to make the best of my circumstances no matter how difficult they are.”
Beloved, I am sure that many of you face difficulties far more severe that I ever will, but I assure you, if you will choose God’s way He will be faithful.
Wherever you go, there you are! Which road are you going to choose? –Rebecca Somoskey
